Vinyl pressings
by Keith Jarrett · 1978
Best Of Keith Jarrett was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
IA-9348 - A ⓻ T 1Side A runout, etched
IA-9348 - B ⓷ T 1Side B runout, etched
(IA-9348-A)Side A label
(IA-9348-B)Side B label
IA-9348-A ⓼ SRC 1-1Side A runout, var. 1
IA-9348-B ⓼ SRC 1-1Side B runout, var. 1
(IA-9348-A SP)Side A label
(IA-9348-B SP)Side B label
IA-9348-A (6)Side A runout
IA-9348-B (6)Side B runout
IA-9348-ASide A label
IA-9348-BSide B label
IA-9348-A⓻ A1 {union jack flag}Runout (Side A)
IA-9348-B⓻ A1 {union jack flag}Runout (Side B)
9027-9348 A QRunout Side A
9027-9348 B QRunout Side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | ABC Impulse! 9027-9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | France | ABC Impulse! AS 9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Germany | ABC Records 200 172-320 / Impulse! 200 172-320First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Greece | ABC Records IA 9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Greece | ABC Records IA-9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | ABC Impulse! IMPL 8054First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IA-9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IA-9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IA-9348LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IA-9348 / ABC Records IA-9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IA-9348 / ABC Records IA-9348First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1979 | Italy | ABC Impulse! IMP 505LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 202 290 / MCA Records 202 290-320LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.704LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Best Of Keith Jarrett are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is ABC Impulse! IA-9348, released October 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IA-9348, IMPL 8054, 9027-9348, AS 9348) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IA-9348 - A ⓻ T 1 and IA-9348 - B ⓷ T 1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
